ANCA Burbank Celebrates its Annual Armenian Christmas
Reception with City Officials and Friends
Burbank, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Burbank Chapter (ANCA-
Burbank) celebrated its Annual Armenian Christmas Reception on January 9, 2023, with great
success and a large attendance in spite of heavy rain.
The Annual Armenian Christmas Reception has become one of the staple events in the city
where attendees look forward to gathering among friends and supporters to share & celebrate
their achievements and enjoy some food and drinks.
The reception started with opening remarks by Mr. Sarkis Simonian, Chairman of ANCA
Burbank, followed by remarks by LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger highlighting ANCA’s
work and its collaboration with the supervisor. Antranik Charjafjian, Chair of ACF Beshir
Mardirossian Center also made remarks about the dire situation in Artsakh and the lives affected
by the illegal blockade. The event was accompanied with Christmas music and a slideshow
representing some of the activities of all the sister organizations sharing the ACF Beshir
Mardirossian Burbank Youth Center.
Among the attendees were representatives from Congressman Adam Schiff, CA Senator
Anthony Portantino, CA Senator Caroline Menjivar, Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, former
Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, Burbank Vice-Mayor Nick Schultz, Burbank Council Members
Zizette Mulling and Nikki Perez, Burbank Assistant City Manager Judy Wilke and various
Burbank City officials including City Treasurer Krystle Palmer, BUSD Vice-President Steve
Ferguson, BUSD President Dr. Armond Aghakhanian, BUSD Superintendent Matt Hill, Police
Chief Michael Albanese, and Police Captain Denis Cremins, Fire Chief Eric Garcia, Providence
St. Joseph Hospital, Burbank Homentmen Sipan Chapter, ARS Burbank Members, Chairwoman
ARS Western Region Vicky Marashlian, ACF, ARF Western USA, ARF Burbank, Oragark and AYF Burbank Chapter representatives,
Burbank Armenian Association Board members and many others.
The reception was also attended by neighboring City officials and sister organizations such as,
Glendale Council member Elen Asatryan and Glendale City Manager Roubik Golanian,
Chairwoman of ANCA Glendale Lucy Petrosian and Board members, Chairwoman of ANCA
Crescenta Valley Alice Chalian.
ANCA–Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the area’s
Armenian community and promotes its increased civic participation at the grassroots and public
policy levels.
